Accordingly, these factories must be assessed by the NationalCommittee for assessing pandemic control and the level of risk of COVID-19 infectionbefore reopening. Factories in the red zone that want to reopen must havedormitories for workers right on the factory premises.
Previously, some factories had to close due to recording newoutbreaks with hundreds of COVID-19 cases. According to the Lao GarmentIndustry Association, factories that are allowed to reopen this time mustensure measures on labour safety and epidemic prevention according to regulationsof the Ministry of Health. They must bear full responsibility ifan outbreak of COVID-19 occurs.
To date, the total number ofCOVID-19 cases in Laos has reached 26,876, including 23 deaths.Currently, the country is trying to ensure adequate supply of care and treatment services for patients with COVID-19, while encouraging localities,organisations and emergency medical teams to respond to pandemic developments. In addition, Laos is also considering allowing people with mildcases of COVID-19 to self-isolate and receive treatment at home.
On October 7, Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri confirmedthat the country is applying flexible regulations in granting entry permits.
He said that the decision to grant entry permits forforeigners is based on six factors, including the number of COVID-19 cases in 14days in the country of the applicant for entry, the rate of COVID-19 casesper million population, mortality rate per million population, cumulativemortality rate, recovery index and total number of infections in the respectivecountries.
Currently, Malaysia onlyallows people who have completed their vaccinations, yet tourists. The government will decide to open the borderafter consulting the Ministry of Health based on risk assessments. PMIsmail added that his government has taken many preparation stepsand decided to relax the distancing measures in a cautious and balancedmanner, prioritising economic recovery./.